Essential Fatty Acids:
Why are they so Important?
As a consequence of my effort to discern a more nutritionally balanced
regime for my four-legged companions, I have come to understand the important
role played by essential fatty acids in the sustenance of life.
Fats and oils contain two main forms of fatty acids: saturate and unsaturated.
Essential fatty acids are unsaturated oils. True to their name, essential
fatty acids are essential to bodily function, beginning at the structural
level of cell development. Essential fatty acids are not manufactured
by the body sufficiently on their own and, therefore, largely must be
obtained through nutritional intake.
The term essential fatty acid (sometimes simply referred to as EFA) actually
refers to two particular fatty acids: linoleic and linolenic. Linoleic
acid is an omega 6 fatty acid and linoenic acid is an omega 3 fatty acid.
The growing need for feeding on a mass scale, in conjunction with modern
agriculture's focus on quantity over quality of food production, has resulted
in an increase in the use of high yield grains. Accordingly, the consumption
of such grains- that produces largely linoleic or omega 6 fatty acids-
has come to comprise a disproportionate amount of dietary intake for our
animal companions and ourselves. Linolenic or omega 3 fatty acids have
been further reduced due to the fact that they must be derived using minimal
processing and are "highly reactive compounds prone to oxidation" (1).
As a result, it is little wonder that there is much to be desired nutritionally,
from that which our pets and we routinely consume.
Increasing the amount of omega 3 fatty acids we and our pets ingest,
not only help to reconcile the imbalance of these acids in our respective
systems, but also will help negate some of the negative effects caused
by over-consumption of omega 6 fatty acids, including vascular damage.
The most common symptom we see in our pets, which likely reflect an essential
fatty acid deficiency, is dry, flaky skin. Such a problem is often the
result of the consuming over-processed foods and/or an inadequate intake
of omega 3. Dry coats that lack luster are often easily remedied through
feeding a higher quality diet and adding an essential fatty acid supplement
to the daily regime. Increasing the amount of omega 3 fatty acids in the
diets our pets and we consume has been shown to be helpful in the prevention
and treatment of such ailments as: cancer, hear attack, stroke, psoriasis
and eczema (2).
Rich sources of omega 3 are flax and safflower oil. The recommended dose
for your cat or dog would be 1 teaspoon per 20 pounds of body weight daily.
It is important to slowly increase to the recommended daily dose, as diarrhea
may result from the sudden intake of such rich oil. When choosing an essential
fatty acid supplement, be sure to invest in one that been minimally processed,
preferably one that uses the cold processing technique. Barlean's flax
seed oil has a good reputation because it is made from organic flax seeds
and has been processed keeping the oil expression below 96 degree Fahrenheit.
Bitterness is a good gauge as to flax or safflower oils' freshness. If
the oil is very bitter tasting, it is no longer fresh and should be discarded.
Once a container of flax seed oil is opened, it is typically only good
for a period up to two months. To help flax seed oil retain its freshness
after opening, keep refrigerated.
Safflower oil is more widely available- it can routinely be found at
your local greocery store- and, has been my experience, has a longer shelf
life than does flax seed oil.
While this article provides only a glimpse into the vast arena of scientific
study that is nutrition, but I hope that it makes clear, at the very least,
that all fat is not inherently bad. Further, I hope that one greater appreciates
the important role played by essential fatty acids and their potential
to: increase general vitality and fight off future disease.
Sources:
Wysong Supplements: EFA Technical Information, by Wysong Professional
Diets- Wysong Supplements.
Dr. Whitacre's Guide to Natural Healing, by Dr. Julian Whitacre,
M.D., 1995, pg. 50-51.
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